Sweet and Spicy Sweet and Sour Shrimp (Gansho Saewoo): Homemade Chinese Restaurant Quality Recipe
Easy and Delicious Gansho Saewoo Recipe
Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for Gansho Saewoo (Sweet and Sour Shrimp) that you can easily make at home! This dish features crispy shrimp coated in a perfectly balanced sweet and tangy sauce, making it a hit with the whole family. It’s also a fantastic choice for special occasions or as a delightful snack with drinks!
Main Ingredients- 200g peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1/4 onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/4 yellow bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/4 green bell pepper, finely chopped
Sweet and Sour Sauce- 1.5 slices unsalted butter (approx. 20g)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of dried parsley flakes (for garnish)
- 1.5 slices unsalted butter (approx. 20g)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of dried parsley flakes (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the shrimp under cold running water to clean them, then pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. Excess moisture can cause the shrimp to steam instead of fry and clump together.
Step 2
Wash the onion and bell peppers, remove the seeds, and chop them into small, approximately 1cm (or 1/2 inch) pieces. The colorful vegetables add visual appeal and a pleasant texture to the dish.
Step 3
Melt 1 slice of butter (about 10g) in a pan over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant and lightly golden brown. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can make it bitter.
Step 4
Add the prepared shrimp to the pan with the garlic butter. Stir-fry quickly over medium heat until the shrimp turn pink and are almost cooked through, about 1-2 minutes. Overcooking will make the shrimp tough.
Step 5
When the shrimp are nearly cooked, add all the chopped vegetables to the pan. Increase the heat to high and stir-fry briskly for about 1-2 minutes. The vegetables should be slightly tender-crisp, retaining some of their crunch.
Step 6
Now it’s time to make the delicious sauce. Add 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, and 2 Tbsp ketchup directly into the pan. (Optional: If you’d like a tangier sauce, you can add 1 Tbsp of vinegar at this stage.)
Step 7
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir the sauce continuously, coating the shrimp and vegetables evenly. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy, allowing the flavors to meld together. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
Step 8
Once the sauce has reached your desired consistency, add the remaining half slice of butter (about 5g). Turn the heat up to high and quickly toss everything together until the butter is melted and incorporated. This final quick sauté adds a lovely sheen and richness.
Step 9
Remove from heat. Sprinkle with a pinch of black pepper for extra aroma and garnish with dried parsley flakes. Your delicious Gansho Saewoo is ready to be enjoyed! Serve immediately while hot for the best taste.
